Why ASAS Ohio?

Why ASAS Ohio?

ASAS Programs are completely FREE for all students.

Each day, After-School All-Stars provides free, high quality after-school programs for approximately 750 low-income students at schools in Columbus, Toledo and Cleveland. We believe the After-School All-Stars program model is distinct in significant ways, making it an ideal partner for local school and communities.

ASAS programs are school based

Our programs only take place at Title 1 schools where more than 50% of students qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, a proxy for poverty. We operate on 326 school sites across the U.S.

ASAS does not incur costs for daily transportation to and from our facilities or put students in a position where they have to travel to programs alone.

ASAS is Solutions Oriented

ASAS has moved from being a “National Program Provider” to bein a “National Solution Provider” to serve crises facing youth today.

ASAS Partners with Schools and Becomes an Extension of the School Day

Our lead staff work at partner schools during the school day and after school hours.

We work closely with principals and administrators to design and tailor our program to what the school most needs and wants.

We hire many certified teachers who teach in our schools during the day and know our students, to lead the academic portion of after-school programs.

If a student asserts, “I don’t have any homework.” We can respond “We checked with your teacher and here is your assignment.” If they claim, “I don’t have my books.” We can respond “We have them here.”

ASAS is the largest national organization specifically focused on serving middle school age students

Not all periods of life are equal in terms of a person’s development. The change and growth in a person between the ages of 11-14 is critical and lasting. As result, ASAS does not focus on serving all students 0-18. Rather we hone in on serving middle school students when their identity is up for grabs and they are deciding “who they want to be” and “how they want to live”

Middle school is an age group historically under served by after-school program providers. There are many programs for elementary school students in the form of structured day care. High schools offer numerous clubs, teams and extra-curricular activities. However, middle school students are often left with few safe and structured opportunities between 3 and 6 pm.

Often middle school students are big enough to travel home alone after school and many parents become less concerned with where their children are and what they are doing after school. Sadly, studies show that 3-6 pm is the prime time when unsupervised students are most likely to become involved with gangs, crime, drugs and unsafe sex.

ASAS is a “National yet Nimble” organization

We are a national organization with a lean, efficient administration and small bureaucracy. Everyone at our national and local chapter leadership levels personally know one another, work together and are willing to help each other out whenever possible

ASAS is highly collaborative with other non-profit organizations

We do not want to reinvent the wheel and will work with any proven and reputable partner with more expertise or a specific ability to provide a unique program experience for the benefit our students. We have numerous national and local partnerships which enhance the quality of our programs.

ASAS maintains a collaborative national network of chapters

Senior staff from all chapters personally know one another and communicate regularly. We are not so large of an organization where people can get lost in the shuffle or feel without power to communicate or be heard.

The ASAS National network of chapters is tight knit and supportive. Chapter staff at all levels regularly convene, share and learn from another to discuss best practices and mistakes to avoid.